The Nigerian Army has trained and graduated 604 Special Forces operatives in its eighth session of Exercise Restore Hope, a six-month intensive program designed to enhance national security.
The training, held at the Nigerian Army Military Training Centre in Kachia, covered both kinetic and non-kinetic warfare strategies to prepare troops for modern security challenges.
At the graduation ceremony on Tuesday in Kaduna, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, praised the troops for their mastery of advanced combat skills, including marksmanship, weapon handling, and precision targeting.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, General Officer Commanding the 1st Division Nigerian Army, Oluyede commended the soldiers for their discipline and tactical proficiency.
“The special forces demonstrated their capabilities, showcasing cooperation and concentration of firepower,” he said.
The COAS explained that the soldiers were carefully selected from various units and formations across the Nigerian Army and would soon be deployed to critical operational zones to enhance combat effectiveness.
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He noted that the training program, conducted twice yearly, is a key part of the Army’s efforts to equip troops with specialized skills for counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and other high-risk missions.
“The special forces had undergone enhanced training, building on their basic soldier training, to prepare them for mission-orientated tasks,” Oluyede stated.
He emphasized that the newly trained operatives would reinforce troops already engaged in active operations, significantly improving mission outcomes.
“The training is crucial in enhancing the army’s operational efficiency and national security efforts,” the Army Chief added.
Exercise Restore Hope reflects the Nigerian Army’s sustained commitment to strengthening its counterterrorism and internal security operations. The latest batch of graduates is expected to bolster ongoing military efforts against insurgents, bandits, and other security threats across the country.
